Aldon Smith gets to 40 sacks in his 38th game

Posted by Mike Florio on November 26, 2013, 10:56 AM EDT

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49ers linebacker Aldon Smith is back.

In his 38th career regular-season game, Smith picked up his 39th and 40th career sacks. They were his first sacks in more than two months, due to a leave of absence for rehab that caused him to miss five games.

As MDS pointed out last night, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was fined $30,000 for a foot to the loins of Matt Schaub last Thanksgiving. While Smith doesn’t have Suh’s on-field history, it’ll be interesting to see whether Smith’s multiple off-field problems influence the penalty imposed for a flagrant knee to the nuggets.

Yeah….except that anyone who watched the game saw Smith jump in the air to try and block a pass. His leg went up as part of his jumping motion, 1000% accidental foot balls move.

A fine for incidental contact in a contact sport? I’m a Rams fan and saw that it was incidental, Im sure thats how the other 99.999% of the population that doesn’t make money stirring the pot sees it as well. But as usual the Florio mantra of don’t let the truth get in the way of a lame, made up story prevails. Smh.

Thank you for this article and web-site. I have great respect for the work you do.

However, the tone and opinions in some of your articles seem to make large assumptions. In this article, specifically — yes, Smith’s leg hit Griffin’s crotch area. And we all can see that. The use of the word blatant implies it was the intention of Smith to kick him.

Football is a violent game. But your assumption is violent as well.

Is it possible that this was accidental?

We could have a panel of scientists diagram the ratio of speed and gravity of all the elements involved and it might turn out that the force of Smith’s forward momentum, when pushed back, actually caused his leg to rise into the location where Griffin happened to be. There was no penalty. And Smith even checked on Griffin after.

I don’t know why this guy isn’t suspended by the league for his infractions. Just another example of how the league office plays favorites among its teams. When was the last time a major player for a marque franchise was suspended?

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that so many commenters here don’t know football rules. If a football player were suspended every time they were charged with something, half of the NFL would not be playing. It’s the conviction that usually brings the suspension from the league.

I can’t imagine any reasonable person watching that play and thinking the groin contact was intentional. But, naturally, page hits and ratings are more important than rationality for the media.

And for those whining about Aldon Smith not being suspended–he hasn’t gone to court yet, and the league doesn’t hand out punishment for legal issues until they’ve been adjudicated. Fines/suspensions from the league are likely coming next year. However, Goodell has said that Smith voluntarily missing 5 games to get treatment WILL affect the severity of any punishment from the league, so you Niner-haters might want to make sure you have a full box of tissues on hand.

I can’t imagine any reasonable person watching that play and thinking the groin contact was intentional. But, naturally, page hits and ratings are more important than rationality for the media.

And for those whining about Aldon Smith not being suspended–he hasn’t gone to court yet, and the league doesn’t hand out punishment for legal issues until they’ve been adjudicated. Fines/suspensions from the league are likely coming next year. However, Goodell has said that Smith voluntarily missing 5 games to get treatment WILL affect the severity of any punishment from the league, so you Niner-haters might want to make sure you have a full box of tissues on hand.
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True….but he missed 5 games for the alcohol related issues. This will affect what Goodell does, as he stated.

However: the court system will decided how long he ‘voluntarily’ misses games or not. This will also affect what Goodell does.

Shouldn’t even be playing right now. When is this joker going to get suspended for the illegal guns and drug charges not to mention the duis? He shouldn’t be on the field and anyone that isn’t a niner fan agrees

Every team has at least one player with character issues you only here more about smith cuz he’s a superstar sand don’t get your pannies in a wad as soon as he’s convicted he will get punished that’s how the NFL does it so quit ur bitchin

Boyshole25 says: Nov 26, 2013 3:03 PM Shouldn’t even be playing right now. When is this joker going to get suspended for the illegal guns and drug charges not to mention the duis? He shouldn’t be on the field and anyone that isn’t a niner fan agrees

…………………

Hmmmm….. not a niner fan and don’t agree. Just like the legal system he is gonna be presummed innocent until his court appearances. If the NFL acted on this and then he managed to wiggle out of it legally. They would liable for the money he lost during suspension. And probably more for desimation of character. The NFLPA would have a field day with that. Therefor the league and teams will not act until a player is convicted of said crime.

Seattle fans are funny crowning themselves champs week 12 of the NFL season, you and the rest of those bandwagon fans are just as corny and obnoxious as Peter Carroll.
And by the way there are 5 weeks left in the regular season pal.